183. Decrease in Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in 7 United States Children’s Hospitals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract Background During the 2020 SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, physical distancing and mask use guidelines were implemented resulting in a decline in the number of infections caused by influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and otitis media. A surveillance analysis from England and Taiwan showed a decline in invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) (Clin Infect Dis. 2021;72: e65-75 and J Infect. 2021;82:296-297). We hypothesized that COVID mitigation efforts resulted in a decrease in incidence of pediatric IPD within the U.S. during 2020 compared to previous years. Methods We reviewed all cases of IPD among 7 children’s hospitals from the U.S. Pediatric Multicenter Pneumococcal Surveillance Group from 2017-2020. IPD was defined by the isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae from normally sterile sites (eg. blood, cerebrospinal, pleural, synovial or peritoneal fluid). Pneumococcal pneumonia was defined as an abnormal chest radiograph in the presence of a positive blood, pleural fluid or lung culture. Mastoiditis was identified by positive middle ear, subperiosteal abscess or mastoid bone culture. Serotypes were determined by the capsular swelling method. Hospital admission numbers were obtained for incidence calculations. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA11. A p< 0.05 was considered significant. Results A total of 410 IPD cases were identified. The cumulative incidence of IPD (0-22 years of age) decreased from 99.2/100,000 admissions in 2017-2019 to 53.8/100,000 admissions in 2020 (risk ratio 0.54, CI: 0.40-0.72, p< 0.00001). Pneumococcal bacteremia and pneumonia decreased significantly in 2020 (p< 0.05), and although not statistically significant, there were fewer cases of meningitis and mastoiditis when compared to previous years (p=0.08) (Figure 1). Sex, race, age or presence of comorbidities were not significantly different between groups. Most common serotypes in 2020 were 35B, 3 and 15B/C (Figure 2). Conclusion The observed decline in IPD cases during the first year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is likely associated with mask use and physical distancing limiting transmission of S. pneumoniae via droplets and viral infections frequently preceding IPD. These precautions might be useful in the future to decrease IPD, especially in high-risk patients. Disclosures Sheldon L. Kaplan, MD, Pfizer (Research Grant or Support) Tina Q. Tan, MD, GSK (Individual(s) Involved: Self): Advisor or Review Panel member, Grant/Research Support; ILiAD (Individual(s) Involved: Self): Advisor or Review Panel member; Merck (Individual(s) Involved: Self): Advisor or Review Panel member, Grant/Research Support; Moderna (Individual(s) Involved: Self): Advisor or Review Panel member; Pfizer (Individual(s) Involved: Self): Advisor or Review Panel member Pia S. Pannaraj, MD, MPH, Pfizer (Grant/Research Support)Sanofi-Pasteur (Advisor or Review Panel member)Seqirus (Advisor or Review Panel member) Larry Givner, MD, AstraZeneca (Advisor or Review Panel member) Kristina G. Hulten, PhD, Pfizer (Research Grant or Support)

At all centers actual BSI rate was lower than the expected rate for that center in the POST period. UVA and Duke showed a baseline decrease and Pennsylvania Hospital showed a downward trend in infection rates. There was an approximate decrease in expected bloodstream infection events at Pennsylvania Hospital by 7 events, at UVA by 22 events and at Duke by 23 events. Overall, all three centers saw a decrease in their expected infections after COVID-19 infection prevention measures were implemented.

Conclusion.
In this preliminary analysis, we found a reduction of BSI after the implementation of COVID-19 infection prevention measures. Additionally, there were fewer viral infections, though there were a limited number of episodes. Further analyses of multicenter data and a larger number of patients will elucidate the significance of these findings and the role some of these IP measures such as universal masking may have in infection prevention in the NICU.
Disclosures. Background. Starting in the late 1940s-1950s Staphylococcus aureus isolates gained resistance to penicillin largely through the acquisition of β-lactamases. In recent years, some centers have described an increase in the proportion of methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) which are also susceptible to penicillin (PSSA). There are little data on the prevalence or clinical significance of PSSA in children. Acute hematogenous osteoarticular infections (AHOAIs, including osteomyelitis and septic arthritis) are the most common manifestation of invasive S. aureus disease in children. We investigated the prevalence of penicillin susceptibility among MSSA AHOAI isolates at two children's hospitals.
Methods. MSSA AHOAI isolates were obtained through surveillance studies at Texas Children's (TCH) and St. Louis Children's Hospitals (SLCH) from 1/2011-12/2019. All isolates underwent PCR for blaZ β-lactamase, PVL genes and agr group. All blaZ negative isolates then underwent penicillin susceptibility testing using macrobroth dilution. Isolates which were blaZ negative and had a penicillin MIC ≤ 0.125 μg/ ml were regarded as PSSA.
Results. 329 unique isolates were available and included in the study. The median patient age was 9.2 years (IQR: 5.1-12.2). Overall, 22 isolates were found to be penicillin susceptible (6.7%). No PSSA isolates were detected prior to 2015 but increased yearly thereafter; by the final study year 20.4% of isolates were PSSA (p=0.001, Figure  1). Patients with PSSA isolates were slightly older than those with resistant isolates (median age 11.8 years vs. 9.1 years, p=0.08) and PSSA were more commonly identified at SLCH (12.9% vs. 5.2%, p=0.04). PSSA were similar to penicillin-resistant isolates in terms agr group and PVL carriage as well as clinical presentation and outcomes.
The figure describes the relative frequency of penicillin susceptible S. aureus (PSSA) over time among MSSA osteoarticular infection isolates in children.
Distribution of MICs to penicillin, ampicillin, cefazolin, cephalexin and oxacillin among PSSA isolates.
Conclusion. PSSA appears to be increasing among AHOAI isolates in US children, although geographic variability does occur. Overall, PSSA isolates are associated with a similar clinical presentation as penicillin-resistant isolates. Penicillin susceptibility testing may serve as an avenue for future stewardship intervention in staphylococcal infections.
Disclosures Background. During the 2020 SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, physical distancing and mask use guidelines were implemented resulting in a decline in the number of infections caused by influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and otitis media. A surveillance analysis from England and Taiwan showed a decline in invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) (Clin Infect Dis. 2021;72: e65-75 and J Infect. 2021;82:296-297). We hypothesized that COVID mitigation efforts resulted in a decrease in incidence of pediatric IPD within the U.S. during 2020 compared to previous years.
Methods. We reviewed all cases of IPD among 7 children's hospitals from the U.S. Pediatric Multicenter Pneumococcal Surveillance Group from 2017-2020. IPD was defined by the isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae from normally sterile sites (eg. blood, cerebrospinal, pleural, synovial or peritoneal fluid). Pneumococcal pneumonia was defined as an abnormal chest radiograph in the presence of a positive blood, pleural fluid or lung culture. Mastoiditis was identified by positive middle ear, subperiosteal abscess or mastoid bone culture. Serotypes were determined by the capsular swelling method. Hospital admission numbers were obtained for incidence calculations. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA11. A p< 0.05 was considered significant.